Elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs), which derive from one of the repetitive domains found in natural elastin, have been intensively studied in the last few years from several points of view. In this mini review, we discuss all the recent works related to the investigation of ELRs, starting with those that define these polypeptides as model intrinsically disordered proteins or regions (IDPs or IDRs) and its relevance for some biomedical applications. Furthermore, we summarize the current knowledge on the development of drug, vaccine and gene delivery systems based on ELRs, while also emphasizing the multiple tissue engineering approaches involving their use. Finally, we show different studies that explore applications in other fields, and several examples that 2 describe biomaterial blends in which ELRs have a key role. This review aims to give an overview of the recent advances regarding ELRs and to encourage further investigation of their properties and applications.
Control over biodegradation processes is crucial to generate advanced functional structures with a more interactive and efficient role for biomedical applications. Herein, a simple, high-throughput approach is developed based on a 3D-structured system that allows a preprogramed spatial-temporal control over cell infiltration and biodegradation. The 3D-structured system is based on elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) characterized by differences in the kinetics of their peptide cleavage and consists of a three-layer hydrogel disk comprising an internal layer containing a rapidly degrading component, with the external layers containing a slow-degrading ELR. This structure is intended to invert the conventional pattern of cell infiltration, which goes from the outside to the inside of the implant, to allow an anti-natural process in which infiltration takes place first in the internal layer and later progresses to the outer layers. Time-course in vivo studies proved this hypothesis, i.e. that it is possible to drive the infiltration of cells over time in a given 3D-structured implant in a controlled and predesigned way that is able to overcome the natural tendency of conventional cell infiltration. The results obtained herein open up the possibility of applying this concept to more complex systems with multiple biological functions.
6232-z ". "Esta es una preimpresión de un artículo publicado en Journal of Materials Science Materials in Medicine. La versión final autenticada está disponible en línea en:
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.